"ATTACK!" the rebels shouted as they chased the guards who were now wounded and bloody but still trying to run away from them. I let go of the lamp which fell straight to the ground. It broke and the fire quickly spread across the entire area.
Only now did I realize that I was so close to the gas that's why the fire spread like lightning. The chariots and horses that the rebels had captured from the soldiers were stopped by the force of the fire that was splitting the road.
Some soldiers continued to fight the bandits to protect their general, who was now covered in blood and had a wound to his shoulder. I covered my mouth when I saw Sebastian vomit blood.
I quickly ran towards him, he was getting weak and he kept vomiting blood. He couldn't die yet. I knew he wouldn't die yet but I also knew he was going through a lot of pain, especially with the two bullet embedded in his shoulder and leg.
I helped him stand up, causing several soldiers to turn their heads towards me. "I-I'm on your side!" I shouted, afraid they would throw their swords at me. Two guards were trying to defend Sebastian against four bandits who were fighting them with spears and swords.
I had a hard time getting Sebastian up, especially since he was heavier than me, but somehow I could feel him doing everything he could to survive. We had only taken a few steps away when we both tripped and fell to the ground because an arrow hit his leg again.
A man was now running towards us to punch us in the face. I panicked. I quickly pulled my phone out of my bag and slammed it hard on his forehead. The man was stunned by the force of my slap on his forehead and suddenly fell to the ground.
Another bandit saw that and immediately woke up the man I hit with the phone. His companion looked at me sharply and was about to attack me but I quickly wrapped the earphone wire around his neck and choked him then pushed him into the nearby cliff which wasn't that deep.
I turned to Sebastian, he was now holding the end of the rope of the horse that was restless because of the fire. I immediately ran to him. "We need to get out of here!" I said, he looked at me but he vomited blood again. I supported him with all my strength to get on the horse even though it was a little shaky.
When he was ready to ride, I climbed on the back. "Hala! I don't know how to ride a horse! How is this?" I knew to spank the horse's butt, but when I patted the horse's butt, nothing happened, it was like I was patting a child to put him to sleep.
"Sebastian! Wake up!" I repeated, trying to reach for the horse's rope and make him hold it in his hand. I turned to look at some bandits, they had already knocked down the two guards who were defending Sebastian earlier. Where are the others? Why am I here? Sebastian's character doesn't end here!
"Wait!" I shouted to stop the bandits from approaching us, but I also grabbed Sebastian's waist tightly when the horse suddenly ran. Sebastian was already very weak, but he still managed to make the horse we were riding run.
I turned to look at the bandits, they had just thrown the weapons and knives they were holding on the ground because it was impossible for them to chase us because of the size of the fire that had spread across the path.
I IMMEDIATELY took Sebastian to the hospital. The doctors and staff there were shocked to see the wounded general. I couldn't help but pace back and forth outside the room where Sebastian was currently being treated.
I tried to think about what would happen next. But because I was still in a panic and couldn't believe that I had managed to hurt and fight off the robbers earlier, I was losing myself even more. "Ma'am, are you feeling any pain?" a young woman who worked at the hospital asked me.
"W-what day is it today?" I asked, she was surprised when I held her hand. "September thirteenth" she replied, surprising me. I couldn't speak right away. It was July when I came across this book. But why is it September?
The woman looked at me from head to toe, "Are you injured, binibini?" she asked, I shook my head at her in shock. I had no injuries, I couldn't feel anything because of the shock of the events. I didn't even notice that my hair was all messed up, my body was covered in dirt and blood, and most of all, I was wearing a yellow blouse, black jeans, and black sneakers. I was also carrying my black shoulder bag.
The woman was about to speak but the doctor called her back. I was left speechless and couldn't believe what was happening. Two months had passed in the story. I had already left but I didn't remember what had happened. And now that I was back, I remembered everything again.
What I don't understand is, why did I end up back here? How can I get out again? What is the reason why this is happening? And why did Sebastian almost die? I didn't write that many bullets in the story and it didn't get to the point where he vomited blood.
I knocked THREE times on the door of Aling Pacing's Panciteria. It opened a few moments later, and Aling Pacing even made the sign of the cross in shock.
"Susmaryusep! Is that you, Tanya?" Mang Pedro immediately came out of the door and looked at me carefully. "Good God! It's Tanya!" Mang Pedro confirmed.
They led me into the Panciteria and immediately made me sit on the nearest chair. Mang Pedro quickly got some water from the kitchen. "What happened to you, hija? Why did you suddenly disappear?" Aling Pacing asked worriedly while smoothing my clothes.
Mang Pedro immediately placed the glass on the table and ordered me to drink. It seemed like this was the same thing that happened when they first let me into their home. I looked disheveled and homeless on the street. I opened my mouth, I was going to say that I should have taken Sebastian to the hospital but I remembered that they couldn't know that I helped Sebastian because they were also members of the rebels.
"I-I go back to Bulacan. I'm sorry if I didn't tell you because I had to go there right away," I said, Aling Pacing held my hand. The couple's faces showed a lot of worry. I was only gone for a week, but in this story, it's been almost two months.
"Thank God you're safe, hija. We were very worried about your sudden disappearance. Lolita said you went looking for General Sebastian for a book but you never returned after that. We were afraid something bad had happened to you at the hands of those generals," Aling Pacing said, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Didn't we tell you, hija, that general was dangerous. We tried to find you but no one could give us an answer as to where you were. A few people saw you when you went to the general's office but no one could determine if you left there," Mang Pedro added and bowed.
I watched them both, grateful at least because I had somewhere to run to when I had nowhere to go within this story. At least I felt the love of my own family from characters like them.
"T-thank you for your concern. I'm sorry if I left without saying goodbye. it won't happen again" I quickly wiped away the tears that were welling up in my eyes. I didn't know what to do. "By the way, why are you covered in dirt and your clothes stained with blood?" Aling Pacing asked, shaking me again.
"Ah, I just met a wounded cow on the road, I helped it, so here it is" I was already lost in my thoughts. "And what kind of clothes are you wearing now?" Aling Pacing asked again. I bit my lip hard, women didn't wear pants during this time.
"I-I just tried this design that my friend made in... in Bulacan" I replied then smiled a little to make them feel better. But despite my smile, I still couldn't get rid of my worries about Sebastian and the way the story was going.
The roosters were crowing outside. The sun was rising but I was still sitting in the chair facing the window. I couldn't sleep all night so I chose to just sit and think about what was happening.
I raised my left hand, "Mang Pedro is right, the last place I went was Fort Santiago. That's where Sebastian mentioned his death. That's where he called me by my real name." I nodded to myself then raised my right hand and looked at it.
"And after that, I was able to leave the story. But I didn't remember anything that happened here inside the story. The dream I thought I couldn't remember turned out to be true. And when I got back here, I remembered everything again!" I was stunned by that idea. That means, every time I get out of this novel, I don't remember anything. But those memories will come back when I get back into the story!
I started walking around the room while still thinking deeply. "But why? Why do I come here and come out? Why do I forget everything when I'm not in the story? And why did Sebastian almost die?" I didn't realize that I was biting my nails. I had so many questions that I couldn't find answers to.
I stopped walking and poked my head with both my index fingers. I also closed my eyes to take a deep breath and remember the next scenes in Salamisim.
"After Berning escaped Tadeo from prison, he hid him in the forest and there Tadeo recovered for almost two months. During those two months, Berning also developed a plan to take revenge on the soldiers. They carried out an attack without Lorenzo knowing," I nodded to myself.
"On the other hand, Lorenzo and Maria Florencita's first meeting also happened. That was followed by other unexpected meetings on different days. The Garza family owned the newspaper printing house where Lorenzo worked. Maria Florencita learned that Lorenzo worked there so she often went there to talk to the young man who sympathized with her when she was alone outside the garden"
"For two months, they had a series of unexpected encounters, chatting in secret until their friendship blossomed." I walked to the mirror and looked at myself.
"So far, what's supposed to happen is happening. The only thing I don't understand is why Sebastian almost died last night. He was only wounded in the leg, the guards will still be able to defeat the bandits and take Sebastian to the hospital." I took a deep breath then sat on the chair in front of the mirror as if I was talking to myself face to face.
"If I hadn't come, Sebastian would have definitely died. But why? It's not possible because the story is just beginning and the villain can't disappear right away," I took a deep breath. I was also tired of talking, I was just thinking about all of this, but it stuck in my mind more when I said it.
I held my head, "So what happens next... Don Florencio and Maria Florencita will visit Sebastian in the hospital. He will also be honored for his bravery. When Sebastian is well, Don Florencio will hold another party to announce the engagement of Maria Florencita and Sebastian," I nodded to myself. I realized that Don Florencio was fond of parties, so I should cut him some of the budget.
I was surprised when someone suddenly knocked on the door, I hadn't even said that the person could come in but she immediately opened the door and Lolita appeared in front of me. "You're finally back!" she shouted then directly hugged me. We almost fell over from the force of her grabbing me.
"We were very worried about your disappearance. I asked the general but he didn't give me an answer. I can't forgive Niyong either because it seems like he's covering for his señor," Lolita said, sobbing. I gently patted her back. I didn't think she would react the same way when I disappeared.
She broke free from my embrace, "We want justice for what happened to you, but the general himself was the last person you spoke to, so we don't know what to do," she continued, I wiped her tears and smiled softly.
"Nothing bad happened to me, I just went home. Sebastian had nothing to do with it either. I left his office peacefully," I explained, she hugged me again.
"I don't have any feelings for Niyong anymore, I hate him because he didn't even ask his senor where you are," she insisted, I immediately grabbed both of her shoulders and looked at her.
"It's not possible, you can't hate Niyong" I said, she looked surprised. "W-why not? He's a coward and agrees with the general's wrongdoings" I took a deep breath, what would their love story be like in this story if she rejected Niyong?
"B-because... Niyong is kind. Just understand that he's also stuck in the situation" I explained but Lolita didn't seem convinced. How is this possible? I need to find a way to make Lolita fall in love with Niyong again because that's what's set to happen in my story.
I did NOT waste any more time. I immediately changed my clothes and put on a hood, it was already ten o'clock at night. It would be easier for me to enter the hospital without anyone knowing. When I was sure that Aling Pacing and Mang Pedro were fast asleep, I immediately fled the Panciteria and took the dark road to the hospital.
In less than half an hour I reached the hospital. I hid for a moment behind a tree and looked outside. There were guardia civil guarding outside and there were also many fires serving as light around.
I took a deep breath, I could get in there using the spies' code. I started walking towards them, when they saw me they immediately pointed their guns at me. I wanted to just turn back but they might suspect me and shoot me so I continued walking with my hand raised.
They were speaking in Spanish, "The general's office opens at six," I said, my eyes closed in fear. A guard lowered his gun and ran towards me. His face lit up when he recognized me, he was the same guard who had let me in using that code before.
He signaled to his colleagues, who lowered their guns that were pointed at me. The guard turned to me and nodded, signaling that I should follow him. As I entered the hospital, I was struck by a strange silence. There were no other patients there, but there were many doctors and workers.
We continued to the second floor of the hospital. There were six rooms there, the guard stopped at the farthest room. He knocked before opening the door, I stepped inside. I don't know why my heart felt heavy as I looked at Sebastian lying on the bed and his shoulders, arms, and legs were wrapped in a white cloth with blood stains on it. There was also a rope tied to his leg so that he couldn't move.
He was reading a book, he glanced at me when the door opened but he returned his eyes to the book as if he wasn't surprised to see me again. Has he forgotten me? I'm not a character in this book so it's possible he could forget me. But why did Aling Pacing, Mang Pedro and Lolita still remember me?
It's possible that he didn't remember me anymore, just like I forgot all about them when I left the novel. "H-how are you?" was the first word that came out of my mouth. It was a common word that started a long greeting. He didn't say anything, he just continued reading. A few minutes later, he closed the book and handed it to me.
I started to walk towards him, I didn't know why he was handing me that thing. I looked at him first before I took the book from his hand. My eyes widened when I saw that it was indeed the old book with no writing and the word Salamisim stamped on the book cover.
"No matter what I do, no ink touches the page of that book. I can't figure out why I can't write on it," he began, not knowing why my heart was pounding so loudly while holding that book. Does that mean he was trying to write and change what was destined to happen?
"That night, it's not clear to me how you suddenly disappeared when the light went out in the cell" he continued, I couldn't speak. I just stared at him, he remembered me. He remembered what happened that night before I disappeared from the story.
"I'm trying to figure out how you managed to run in the dark and get out of there so quickly? It must have only been about ten seconds before the lamp came back on. But when the light came back on, you were gone," he added, did he have any idea what was happening?
"And now, almost two months have passed. You're here again, I don't even understand why you happened to be there last night. Have you decided to join the bandits permanently? If so, why did you come back here?" he said and this time I knew he was really serious. I was speechless at him and tried to understand the words he said, it seemed like he just thought I had run away and had really joined the rebels.
I swallowed before speaking, I shouldn't be this nervous in front of a character but I didn't know why "I-I went home to us. I also got out of the cell that night, I-I was afraid that you might not let me leave and go home to Bulacan so... That's why I ran away when the light went out" I replied, my chest beating so hard, I hoped he would believe me. He shouldn't know that he was just a character in a novel.
"You're not from Bulacan. There's no Mary Faye Vasquez living in Bulacan. There's no Vasquez family there either," he said, surprising me. He tried to find me. "H-how did you know my name?" impossible. I didn't say anything else to that.
"I read on your cedula that it's not registered" he replied, causing me to wonder. I don't have a cedula. "W-what cedula?" Was Sebastian's head spinning so he couldn't even say anything or think properly?
"The rectangular thing with your name and picture on it," he replied as if remembering the thing. He even tried to describe the shape to me with his hand but he stopped because he realized that what he was doing was unbecoming of a respected general.
"Ah, my ID!" I said, causing him to wonder. "aydi?" he asked, I remembered that he had gotten my sling bag before and it looked like he had tampered with it. I suddenly felt embarrassed because I was still ugly with my ID in my wallet, I wasn't allowed to smile so I looked like I had lost a million.
"I call that ID" I tried to smile but he still didn't seem convinced by my explanation. "You can be punished for making your own cedula without government permission" he said seriously, I just nodded. It seems like prison is my twin, even with the cedula I'll still end up there.
"That's not a cedula, what's that to me... it's just like a token so that if I lose my stuff, there's proof that it's mine" I smiled but he still didn't smile. "But you were lying, your name isn't Tanya" he said, my forehead furrowed, is that a big deal? We looked like a couple fighting.
I shook my head at that thought, why was all this nonsense running through my mind again. "Tanya is just my nickname. Am I not allowed to have a nickname? Do I have to say Mary Faye Vasquez? It looks like I'm going to apply for a job with you... Ah! Just call me Tanya" I smiled again but she just frowned, maybe he couldn't follow what I was saying anymore.
Silence reigned around us for a moment. I sat down in the empty chair next to his bed. I bit my lip hard, I wanted to ask him how he had said he would die in prison. But I didn't know how to begin.
"Ah. Sebastian, you told me something in the cell..." I started, he just looked at me.
"Forget it. You probably don't remember," I continued. It's been two months since this story happened. He definitely won't remember the last thing he said to me.
"About my death?" he said, causing me to look at him again. He was looking at the ceiling, as if he was thinking about the things that were happening to him.
"I keep dreaming about my death," he continued, looking at me. "Right inside that cell, that's where I'll be taken from."
I stared blankly into his eyes. Eyes demanding justice and answers as to why his character would end up like that. I avoided his gaze, I shouldn't give in to his situation right now.
"I feel like there's something different about you," he continued, causing me to look at him again. Does he know? Does he have any idea that I'm the author of this story?
"Our paths cross in the midst of chaos or when I discover something. But despite that, everything turns out fine" he looked at the ceiling again.
"I think you're the reason why things are going well." I couldn't understand what he was trying to say.
"W-what do you mean?" I'm really confused about his character. I probably shouldn't be with him for so long because the villain I created for this story shouldn't be like this.
He took a deep breath, "I don't know, but I feel like you have a special ability," he replied, then looked at me again.
"I know you also see the papers coming from that book. Don't deny it because I saw you pick it up from our book collection. You also saw it in the cell I was referring to," he added, making me even more nervous.
He's really suspecting something. I have to stop him from discovering the truth. I don't know what will happen when he finds out that he's a bad character who will suffer at the end of the novel. He can't mess up my story.
"You also know that Maria Florencita and I are set to get married. No one else knows about it except our fathers" I felt my heart pounding loudly. This was even more disturbing than I expected, I had to confuse Sebastian.
"T-the truth is, I can see the future" I said while looking straight into his eyes. They say that to make the person you're talking to believe that you're telling the truth, look them straight in the eye. He stared at me for a moment, then looked up at the ceiling again.
"What kind of crazy reason is that? I will give you a lesser punishment if you admit that you have been spying on our family for a long time and that you deliberately took my trust in order to obtain information for the government." He seemed to be used to always not trusting anyone.
"Just tell the truth that you will never be able to abandon your colleagues" he said, I knew now why I was nervous. I put his character aside and voluntarily came here to be caught by them.
"Don't even try to escape from here. You've been surrounded by my men. You only have two choices," he continued, then raised one of his fingers.
"First, confess everything. Testify in court against Santino Cortes and his family," he raised his second finger. "Second, be stubborn until you go to prison and wait for your death," he said, looking at me.
I gasped in shock, was he serious? I stood up. "After saving you last night, this is what you're going to do to me?" Wow! I can't wait to get out of this novel and erase him from the story forever! But how can I do that if I won't remember anything when I get out of here?
I pointed at him, "You're really pissing me off Sebastian. Come on! Get ready for me, when I actually get back home, the first thing I'll do is erase you from the manuscript of Salamisim! I'll also have everything printed in the book taken down! I'll edit Salamisim in a big way and I'll make sure you and your daddy will erases and there's not a trace of you left, not even Don Antonio's beard!" I held my chest as I said all that. I was running out of patience and I couldn't understand him anymore.
He blinked three times and looked at me in surprise. I even went closer to him and pointed at him, he was shocked by what I did.
"And if you don't believe that I can see the future. Remember this, there will be a strong storm in three days that will last for three days. The crops will be destroyed and the people will starve. When that happens, they will blame the government. The people will revolt and there will be nothing you can do about it. The rebels' forces will grow stronger because of the disaster that will happen" I walked quickly towards the door, but before I could open it I turned back to him.
"If that doesn't happen, you can arrest me and lock me up," I turned to him then opened the door and slammed it shut as I left.
The guard standing guard outside Sebastian's room was also scared of me. He didn't know if he was going to stop me or not but he didn't follow me down either, maybe Sebastian had already signaled him to just let me leave the hospital.
A few days passed, heavy rain and wind devastated the entire town and neighboring provinces. The road was flooded and crops were damaged by the storm. We didn't have any trouble at Panciteria because they immediately followed me when I told them to take the important things up to the second floor of the house and strengthen the roof before the storm hit.
I was only in Amalia's room for about three days. It was also a bit cramped because there were some kitchen items there. It didn't fit in Aling Pacing's room anymore.
I tried to turn on my phone, which is now cracked, but it wouldn't turn on. I had nothing to entertain myself with. My bag only contained makeup, an umbrella, a wallet, alcohol, tissues, and the printed copy of my drawing of Sebastian. In addition to the candy wrappers, bus tickets, and receipts scattered inside.
I'm still annoyed as I look at the sketch I drew of Sebastian. Why even though I don't remember everything when I drew it, I still remember his appearance. I just pulled myself together because of annoyance. What he said was also right, he was also worried about why he felt like he was about to die.
Three days after the storm hit. People were helping each other to help the floodwaters subside and clean their houses. I wrapped myself in a cloak and walked in the middle of the road. I looked around, I couldn't help but feel sorry for the people's condition.
Some are crying because their homes, businesses, and crops have been destroyed. Even fishermen are shedding tears over the fate of their boats. The entire area is muddy because the roads are made of dirt.
Pieces of houses, roofs, and some equipment were also scattered on the road, washed away by the flood. I stared at the clogs I was wearing, which were now also submerged in mud. The sky was dark and sadness enveloped everything.
In this world, I am the one with the power. I am the one with the ability to set events. Events that will follow the flow of the story. Scenes that when woven together will lead to another scene. Nothing should be changed or altered because they have to happen for the flow of the novel.
But why do I feel like this is not right? That there are those who will sacrifice and go through hardships that are the source of strength for the protagonists. They have to bear this, as do the other characters in the story
And despite that, everyone benefits until the end of this story. But there is one character who will die in prison and pay for all the sins of his family. That's what should happen to villains, right?
They need to pay for the sin the author has imposed on them. Because that is what they are supposed to do. To be an obstacle in the story. They are the ones who will hinder and prevent the protagonists from achieving happiness at the end of the story.
My feelings grew even heavier as I watched the ruined surroundings submerged in mud and felt the sadness that would befall Sebastian's character. A moment later, I was surprised when suddenly there was a white handkerchief in front of me.
I turned to my side in surprise, "Didn't you see this in your vision? The pain is less when you know and are prepared for what's going to happen," Sebastian said, making me feel strange because he wasn't dressed like a general.
He was wearing a black coat and a black hat. I shouldn't have taken the handkerchief he was offering, but I didn't realize I was already holding it. "I believe in you. You have the ability to see the future," he continued, also looking around.
"I'm not asking you to help me. But I just want to know what will be the cause of my death? Why am I pleading, crying, and bathing in my own blood inside that cell until my life is taken away?" I stared at the white handkerchief he gave me, with flowers and leaves carved on it.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before speaking, "Why do you want to know? Aren't you afraid of what you'll find out?" My hands were going numb. The breeze was cold and it started to rain lightly.
I was surprised when he suddenly raised his hand and opened a red japanese umbrella to keep us from getting wet in the rain.
I slowly looked at him, not knowing if he had been looking at me for a while or just now. "If I ever find out that it was my fault, why would I have to suffer like this. I will accept it with all my heart. But, what if it isn't?" I couldn't speak, I was completely stopped by the words he said and his pleading eyes.
"I don't want to die for no reason, Faye," he said, accompanied by the slow falling of rain like his tears begging for salvation.
........